Cuba: A week of arrests and beatings does not deter the Ladies in White

After week of violence, Ladies in White once again prove their bravery on the streets

After a week of arbitrary arrests, beatings, and deportations, the Ladies in White have once again made it clear that Sundays are sacred for them, as they have chosen to not abandon their marches to Mass throughout the country, despite any types of consequences. This 17th of February, various women were reportedly detained by the State Police, while many others were able to surpass cordons and make it to Mass, praying for the freedom of all Cubans.

Ivan Hernandez Carrillo, former political prisoner of conscience, used his Twitter account (@ivanlibre) to inform, from Cuba, about what was happening with the Ladies.

In Pinar del Rio it was confirmed that 4 Ladies in White marched and made it to church, according to messages published by Hernandez Carrillo. Another 3 women were detained: Caridad Peinado Gutiérrez, Lin Quiñones González and Iveth Pérez Pérez. Meanwhile, the representative of the group in that province- Noralys Martin Jiménez– was summoned to a police unit to be interrogated.

The repressive operations began early in Havana, according to messages sent out by also former prisoner of conscience Angel Moya Acosta on Twitter (@jangelmoya)

“Repressive forces have activated operations against Ladies in White in Havana”, wrote the activist, “various homes of these women have been surrounded by State Security officials”.